Overview

The Cupra Terramar is a racy take on the booming mid-size family SUV market. In keeping with the Spanish marque’s brand identity (it originated as the performance offshoot of Seat), the Terramar offers striking looks inside and out while its makers emphasis precision and sportiness as the key driving characteristics. It’s a little larger than the aging Cupra Ateca, bringing with it the latest Volkswagen Group technology. 

Unlike the firm’s other newer SUVs, the Cupra Formentor and Cupra Tavascan, the Terramar is a more traditional SUV with a boxy boot rather than a swooping coupe roofline. However, it’s still lower and sleeker than the current VW Tiguan that shares most of the same underlying components. Consequentially it feels cosier in the cabin even though both models have almost identically generous luggage areas. 

Pricing appears close at first glance, too – with the Terramar coming in a little cheaper than the equivalent Tiguan. But if you’re considering both, check the standard equipment levels carefully; generally speaking, the Cupra comes far better equipped than the Volkswagen. 

Other rivals to consider include the excellent Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, the sector-defining Nissan Qashqai, and the old but still appealing Ford Kuga. If you want more space, the Skoda Kodiaq – which also uses the same kit of VW Group parts – is well worth investigating. The smaller Skoda Karoq comes highly recommended from us, too, but like the Ateca it’s related to, this is presently a generation of technology behind and due replacement. 

The Terramar comes with petrol engines only – there is no 100% electric version and no diesel. Choice ranges from a 150hp 1.5-litre mild-hybrid through to a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid with up 76 miles of electric-only driving range and either 204hp or 272hp. These 1.5-litre Terramars are front-wheel drive. 

You can also buy a pair of 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrols that come with 4Drive all-wheel drive as standard. These have either 204hp or 265hp, the latter being the fastest Terramar you can buy. We’ve driven this one shortly after experiencing the equivalent 265hp Tiguan. All Terramars come with a DSG automatic transmission. 

There are four main trim levels, evenly split between V and VZ specifications – the former placing a slightly higher emphasis on comfort, the latter more sporty and only available with the two most powerful engines. At the time of writing there have also been two special editions: the VZ First Edition 272hp e-Hybrid and the America’s Cup Edition 265hp TSI – both highly specced with prices to match. 

Over the next few pages we’ll take you through every aspect of the Cupra Terramar to see how it fares against the best SUVs. We’ll consider its practicality and safety, its interior and its comfort, and explain what we think about how it drives. There’s more info on how we test cars, if you need it, or click the links below to keep reading.